John Brolly is a storyteller, actor and director. Locally John’s name is linked most frequently with youth theatre schools, workshops and one man theatre tours but he has worked extensively performing at corporate entertainment events across the world and has appeared in a range of film and television programmes, including taking a leading role in BBC 2’s Bafta winning Doubletake. Much of his directing work has involved both devised and site specific pieces and he is passionate about maintaining and extending the art of storytelling and live performance as a relevant and essential part of modern society.

John tells an eclectic mix of his own original tales and those that have been passed down over the generations, drawing equally from local traditions and far flung and exotic lands. His unique interactive style can make the listener part of the story and you are left in no doubt that each new telling is a version that has never been heard before.

John Brolly specialises in storytelling for all age groups, from Pre-school to Pensioner. He is currently storyteller in residence at St Levan School’s parent and child group. As a professional actor and director he can turn a simple idea into an epic performance involving a whole school but at the same time reducing the most complex of tales to its simplest basic human emotions.

In John’s hands storytelling is not a passive art form; it spirals into a dynamic experience of music, drama and dance.

Phil Bowen is a poet, performer and playwright who has worked in over 300 schools. He was a teacher for many years in Liverpool (Head of Drama), Devon and Cornwall. His poetry has appeared in The Forward Book of Poetry 1998 and he has two collections, Variety’s Hammer and Starfly, both published by Stride. He has also written books on poetry and Bob Dylan and poetry and The Beatles. Phil lives in Cornwall and is keen to work with Infants, Juniors or Secondary Schools on any poetry related, spoken word or ‘gifted and talented’ project.

Chris Salisbury aka ‘Spindle Wayfarer’ has been telling stories for a long time, appearing on television, and in the most unlikely venues all over Britain. Educator, trainer and professional storyteller, Chris has a background in professional theatre and is a qualified dramatherapist. In 2002 he founded and now directs the Westcountry Storytelling Festival to bring the oral tradition alive in the South West region. He is also a director of WildWise and uses every creative means at his disposal to encourage the enjoyment and valuing of nature on events and courses around the world.

“I found myself opening to the deeper magic that the storyworld brings, a kind of archetypal listening that happens inside, in the place of soul. This is of profound value.” Oliver Hurd-Thomas, art teacher

Fire your imagination with a very experienced performer and workshop leader. David will research and develop material to fit your needs.
• Be enchanted with his telling of traditional stories from the UK and around the globe.
• Untap your creativity through spontaneous and collaborative oral storymaking.
• David works in schools, museums, universities, libraries and other organisations with all ages and ranges.
• Song, guitar and percussion are often woven into his work.

David is the author of the highly practical resource book ‘Spontaneous Speaking: Drama Activities for Confidence and Fluency’ (DELTA)

You can download further information about David’s workshops and teacher training here and information about workshops on traditional folk tales from different cultures here

For more information about the new Hans Christians Andersons Tales workshops click here

Mac Dunlop, founded The Poetry Point in 2007, and co-founded the Caravanserai project in 2008.

He was Poetry Editor of Cornish World Magazine, and is currently doing the same for the new My Cornwall magazine.

He also has several years experience in radio and broadcast producing regular weekly shows for The Source FM, and London’s Resonance FM, as well as live performances like the Caravanserai Fireside Sessions held at Treloan on the Roseland every summer.

Mac is currently developing the BeSpeak project of performances and creative writing workshops to tour around the region over the next year.

He has led workshops with various age groups in Poetry, Drawing and Sculpture, Performance Art, and Filmmaking.

Mac is also a writer on KEAP’s The Story Republic programme working in schools and residential acre homes, as well as performing at events.